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Tallahassee airport 'icon' honored for 27 years of service on 80th birthday

Known for the smile and friendly disposition he's offered for more than two decades at the Tallahassee International Airport, Ervin Johnson celebrated his 80th birthday Friday amid dozens of family members, friends and colleagues.

Tallahassee airport 'icon' honored for 27 years of service on 80th birthday

Barney Johnson stands next to his father Ervin “Mr. J” Johnson, during a ceremony in his honor at the Tallahassee International Airport where he has served as a skycap since 1991. Johnson celebrates his 80th birthday on Saturday, March 17, 2018.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)Buy Photo

He's known for the smile and friendly disposition with which he's greeted air travelers for nearly three decades. On Friday, Ervin Johnson celebrated his 80th birthday amid dozens of family members, friends and colleagues at the Tallahassee International Airport, of course.

Johnson has been a skycap at TIA for 27 years. But in total, the elderly porter has been working in airports for 54 years, starting in Miami.

“If I had to do it all over, I wouldn’t change it," he said.

Donned in an emerald, clover-lined hat for St. Patrick’s Day, which coincides with his day of birth, Johnson shook his head. “It’s warming, very warming," he said.

City Commissioner Curtis Richardson opened the celebration.

"He always had a warm smile on his face," said Richardson, "and welcomed people here to the airport."

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City Commissioner Curtis Richardson shakes the hand of Ervin “Mr. J” Johnson, who has served as a skycap for more than 50 years, including here locally at the airport since 1991. Johnson was honored at the Tallahassee International Airport the day before celebrating his 80th birthday on Saturday, March 17, 2018.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

Barney Johnson, the skycap's son, couldn’t find the words to describe how he felt when he saw everyone who gathered to celebrate his dad’s birthday.

“Jubilee” was the only word that came to mind.

“You’ve got to have love in your heart — that’s what my father passed on to me,” he said.

And that love was apparent Friday, with hugs and tears and smiles.

Born in Whigham, Georgia, on March 17, 1938, Johnson has been working at the capital city airport since 1991. Mayor Andrew Gillum signed a proclamation presented to Johnson Friday in recognition of his 80th birthday and years of service, calling him an "icon of the community."

“The job’s been good to me,” said Johnson. “I’ve been good to it — you’ve got to be good to it.”

Johnson has been struggling with cancer. Though his arms aren't as able to lift the heavy luggage he always has, his smile is just as bright.

A father of three, Johnson also has four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

But he's like family to many more.

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Ervin "Mr. J" Johnson hugs sky cap Lezlee Carnivale during a ceremony at Tallahassee international Airport in his honor. Johnson, who has worked at the airport since 1991, celebrates his 80th birthday on Saturday, March 17, 2018.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

“You’ve been like a grandfather to me — and you supported me a lot,” said one woman, putting a hand on her heart before embracing Johnson.

Another colleague, Sara Ackley, a Delta Airlines supervisor, took to the podium.

"(You've) treated me like a family member all these years," said Ackley. She recalled how Johnson would always reassure her during stressful workdays. "It's OK, Sarah — it's all good," he'd remind her.

But Ackley turned the tables.

"It's all good because of you," she said.

Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.